Just moved into a house and we have a Scantronic 9800 alarm system in place. The PIRs etc are all working, but the keypad in the hallway is dead - no LEDs displaying at all. Also, we do not have codes etc for this system, but it may just be a bettery issue or something simple.

My question is this - should I get someone to come and look at this and make the existing system work, or would it be better to upgrade parts of the system to have something better whilst keeping existing wiring etc. I dont know if the Scantronic 9800 is any good, but it looks like an old system to me...

Any recommendations from the pros??? Keep and fix the existing, or upgrade to a newer/better system?

the original 9800 was a good panel it could be something to do with the cable between the panel and kp i'd get a engineer to have a look (look al the installers by police area section) he will be able to advise you best

I'd say replace it - it's old and new panels have many more useful features.

the original 9800 was a good panel it could be something to do with the cable between the panel and kp i'd get a engineer to have a look (look al the installers by police area section) he will be able to advise you best

I agree, the 9800 is a pretty relaible panel and it would be worth keeping it as long as the keypad doesn't need replacing. If it does then it may be worth getting something a little more modern.

It is really best to get an engineer in who will be able to look at it and advise you in the context of the house and your lifestye.

I removed the cover from the main panel and I have got a bit more info...

The alarm (and the battery inside the main panel) were supplied fitted in '93. Could this be as simple as the battery being dead? Or would that not cause the remote panel in the hallway to be dead? The POWER LED on that remote keypad is not illuminated.

Also, can anyone recommend an engineer or company in Shropshire to look at this? What would I expect to pay for someone to take a look at it?

Thanks for all advice so far

And a bit more info...

Looks like someone has intentionally disconnected the remote keypad - it has three wires and the '0v' one has been removed. If I put it back in, the keypad makes a continuous fast beeping noise. Maybe it was just disconnected because of a fault somewhere, but either way I am sure the system does not need a lot to get it working again - could be that the keypad needs replacing, or the battery (I am guessing here ) but it is time to get the pros in..!!

I removed the cover from the main panel and I have got a bit more info...

The alarm (and the battery inside the main panel) were supplied fitted in '93. Could this be as simple as the battery being dead? Or would that not cause the remote panel in the hallway to be dead? The POWER LED on that remote keypad is not illuminated.

Also, can anyone recommend an engineer or company in Shropshire to look at this? What would I expect to pay for someone to take a look at it?

Thanks for all advice so far

If I were an engineer attending your house I would disconnect the battery, re-conect the keypad and power cycle the panel.

This is assuming the user code is known, if it's not then I would default the panel as well.

It could be that the keypad is faulty but in general the 9800 is pretty reliable. It might just be that the panel was making weird noises due to a battery fault and the last user disconnected it.

Either way a good engineer would be able to diagnose the problem in less than an hour, I don't know how much engineers charge in your area but an independent company would probably charge between 40 and 60 quid I would have thought.

If I were an engineer attending your house I would disconnect the battery, re-conect the keypad and power cycle the panel.

This is assuming the user code is known, if it's not then I would default the panel as well.

It could be that the keypad is faulty but in general the 9800 is pretty reliable. It might just be that the panel was making weird noises due to a battery fault and the last user disconnected it.

Either way a good engineer would be able to diagnose the problem in less than an hour, I don't know how much engineers charge in your area but an independent company would probably charge between 40 and 60 quid I would have thought.

I missed a bit, if your battery was fitted in 1993 it will most certainly need replacing, 3-5 years is a very optimistic estimate of battery life so yours will be well ready to retire!

...... probably charge between 40 and 60 quid I would have thought.

about right for round here (plus the cost of a battery) its worth trying to get the panel re commisioned

Id say that maybe about right for an unapproved but for example our own callout as an NSI gold company to a non contracted client would be